Basketball

Warriors’ Curry could return to practice — Stephen Curry is expected to resume practicing this week, with a strong chance he would return to game action during an upcoming five-game road trip as he works back from a strained left groin. The Golden State star was re-examined Saturday after making significant progress in recent days. He did some scrimmaging work at the practice facility, and coach Steve Kerr said there were no lingering physical issues from a car accident Friday in which Curry was unharmed. “He’s doing much better and we’re just going to keep taking it day by day,” Kerr said. Curry missed his ninth straight game Saturday against Sacramento and also was set to be sidelined for Monday’s matchup with the Orlando Magic to conclude a four-game homestand.

Football

Bears icon Mike Ditka recovering from heart attack — Hall of Fame tight end and former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka is recovering from a mild heart attack. Steve Mandell, Ditka’s agent, tells ESPN that doctors inserted a pacemaker. He says Ditka is “doing much better,” and the iconic coach “appreciates the outpouring of support and expects to be home soon.” The Bears wished Ditka a “speedy recovery” on Twitter. The 79-year-old Ditka played 12 seasons in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl five times. He finished with 427 receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns. Ditka might be best known for his coaching career. He coached the Bears and the New Orleans Saints, finishing with a 121-95 record in 14 years, and he led Chicago to the Super Bowl title after the 1985 season.

Rugby

Irish backups rout Americans 57-14 — Ireland showed off its deep talent pool when its second-stringers absorbed a strong United States start then smashed the Eagles 57-14 at Lansdowne Road Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. Ireland made 14 changes after beating New Zealand last weekend, and found itself in a match when the U.S. leveled at 14-14 a quarter in with a penalty try from a rolling maul. But the effort to reach that point took a toll on the Eagles, and their unprecedented nine-test winning streak ended with their first loss of the year. Ireland wore down the Eagles by pounding their line with their big men, forcing the U.S. to make tackle after tackle. Cracks began to appear on the outside of the tiring Eagles defense. By halftime, space in the U.S. defense was opening up out wide, and the Irish exploited it on resumption. The start of the second half was delayed for lengthy treatment to U.S. hooker Joe Taufete’e for a head knock, but then the Irish, wearing uncommon blue, were relentless as they exploded the scoreline from 24-14 at halftime with five successive tries. “The strength in depth in Irish rugby at the moment is ridiculously healthy,” U.S. coach Gary Gold said. The result completed a brilliant year for Ireland: 11 wins out of 12, a Six Nations Grand Slam, series win in Australia, first home win over the All Blacks, and a second straight November series sweep.

Golf

Bleacher Report, others offering match refunds — Bleacher Report is offering a refund to those who experienced technical difficulties during the Phil Mickelson-Tiger Woods pay-per-view match in Las Vegas. B/R Live said Saturday that it would offer refunds. Charter Spectrum, Cox Communications, Dish/Sling TV and AT&T — via its DirecTV and U-Verse platforms — also announced refunds. Technical difficulties marred the event, which was billed as golf’s first pay-per-view broadcast. Some viewers were unable to view it on their televisions after paying $19.95. Turner and Bleacher Report representatives sent out links on social media allowing people to view it for free on their computers and mobile devices. Mickelson won Friday’s match over Woods on the fourth playoff hole to win $9 million.

— From wire reports